Press release: 1997-07-26: GAMEWORKS TO AWARD $10,000 AT 'TOP THIS' CHAMPIONSHIP

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: GameWorks (archived)

Players from Las Vegas, Seattle, Ontario Compete on Top Skater at GameWorks Ontario's Grand Opening

ONTARIO, Ca., July 26, 1997 - Connecting skateboarders from Las Vegas, Seattle and Ontario, GameWorksTM is making one top skater $10,000 richer in the Top This Tour Championships. The event, being held from 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday, July 26, kicks-off the opening of the third GameWorks, located in Ontario, Calif.
Players at GameWorks Las Vegas, GameWorks Seattle and GameWorks Ontario have competed over the last three weeks on Top Skater, a motion-based, full-body-interactive, skateboard simulation game. The top 100 skaters in each GameWorks market competed in the semi-finals and the winners of each semi-final round are representing their city in the GameWorks Top This Tour National Championship Finals. The winner of the finals receives $10,000.

In addition, all three skaters and their guests will be checked into the MTV Motel California to celebrate LIFEbeat's 5th Anniversary on July 31.

The qualifying at GameWorks Las Vegas, GameWorks Seattle and at the GameWorks Ontario Preview Center, took place from July 7 through July 18. The top 100 skaters on qualifying games were invited back to celebrate at GameWorks July 19 and July 20 and competed in the semi-finals for space representing Las Vegas and Seattle in the championship finals. Ontario's finalists are selected from the semi-finals on July 20 and July 26. Throughout the qualifying, daily winners received GameWorks skate gear packages.

Developed by Sega, Top Skater is a motion-based simulation game, delivering an authentic skateboard feel. The game allows players to perform the hard-core skateboarding moves while maneuvering through ultra-challenging skateboarding courses.

"We want to extend the celebration surrounding the opening of our third GameWorks to our first two cities, Seattle and Las Vegas," said John Shea, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Sega GameWorks. "The Top This Tour and the $10,000 grand prize is a tremendous way to welcome GameWorks Ontario."

GameWorks Ontario opens July 26. The grand opening festivities features a live half-pipe skateboarding exhibition with world-class skater, Tony Hawk, and live musical performances by alternative radio favorites Super Deluxe and Save Ferris. Tony Hawk, who has been described by ESPN as the "Michael Jordan of Skateboarding," is one of the true superstars of the sport, earning first or second place consistently from 1981-1997 in all major skateboard contests, including the National Skateboarding Association series, ESPN Extreme Games and Hard Rock World Championships both nationally and internationally. The event kicks off with a special stunt by Eric Koston, last year's Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year and the #1 ranked World Cup Skateboarder.

GameWorks offers people the best technology, more than 280 games and social interaction. GameWorks Las Vegas is a 47,000-square-foot location inside The Showcase Mall on the Las Vegas Strip. GameWorks Seattle is at 7th and Pike Street. GameWorks Ontario is located in the Ontario Mills Mall.

GameWorks is inspired by DreamWorks SKG, Sega Enterprises and Universal Studios, Inc. The GameWorks concept and environment were developed by a design team under the visionary guidance of Steven Spielberg.

GameWorks' main areas include the Loading Dock, a competitive zone where guests can put the newest games to the test; the Arena, a high-energy area that features GameWorks' signature and multi-player games; and the Loft, a relaxing environment offering a variety of classic video games, traditional games, Internet activities, a full-service restaurant, and bar.

In addition to Ontario, new GameWorks are expected to open this year in Tempe, Arizona, and Dallas, Texas.

GameWorks is the main business of Sega GameWorks L.L.C. Other Sega GameWorks activities include Sega CityTM and Game Operations, which owns and operates numerous arcade and Sega City locations, and Game Sales, the exclusive distributor of Sega arcade games for North and South America. The managing members of Sega GameWorks are wholly-owned subsidiaries each of Sega Enterprises, DreamWorks SKG and Universal Studios, Inc. Universal Studios, Inc. is a unit of The Seagram Company Ltd., a global beverage and entertainment company.